Glenn Beck: In some respects, Glenn Beck is already becoming the "new Oprah," says Motoko Rich in The New York Times. "Virtually every novelist in America fantasizes" about going on Oprah, but Beck is the go-to publicity machine for writers of thrillers. He also has "the No. 2 show on cable despite airing in the afternoons," notes Chris Ariens in Mediabistro. Beck’s "three-dimensional talent" makes him a strong choice for "Oprah’s syndicated replacement."

Sarah Palin: Palin’s appearance on Oprah was one of Oprah’s "highest-rated episodes," says Jon Friedman in MarketWatch. And as Palin talked, it looked like "Oprah was pondering the prospect of Palin succeeding her on the talk show. Wouldn’t that be a delicious piece of irony!" Yes, but not a likely one, says PopEater’s Mike Hess. "Palin is entertaining and certainly has gripped the nation," but she’s too "polarizing" and political for daytime talk TV.

Stop speculating — nobody can replace Oprah: We’re "entering a post-Oprah period," says James Poniewozik in Time. There's probably no one who can match her wide impact and appeal — look what happened after Johnny Carson equally seismic departure. My bet is that "the next Oprah will be several Oprahs, specializing, spread across several shows."